Marilena Raouna was born in 1983 in Larnaca. She comes from Famagusta.
She studied Law at Oxford University (BA in Jurisprudence), and holds a postgraduate degree (LLM) in Public International and European Law from the London School of Economics and Political Sciences (Chevening Scholar). She also holds a diploma in French Language and Civilisation from Sorbonne University.
From 2007 until 2010 she served at the European Commission at the Directorate General for Justice, Security and Freedom, as Programme Manager of the European programme Daphne III aimed at combatting violence against women, youth and children.
From 2010 until 2014 she served at the Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the European Union, responsible for EU-Turkey relations, EU enlargement policy, as well as matters pertaining to the Turkish Cypriot community (Green Line Regulation, Aid Regulation, Ad Hoc Working Party on the follow up to Council conclusions on Cyprus of 26 April 2004.) During the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU (2012) she was co-chair and national representative at the Working Party for Enlargement (COELA) and negotiated on behalf of the Council the Instrument for Pre-Accession Regulation under the new multiannual financial framework in the trilogues with the European Parliament and the European Commission.
From 2014-2018 she worked at the Diplomatic Office of the President as Coordinator of the Office of the Director of the Diplomatic Office of the President and Government Spokesperson, and as advisor on EU matters. She participated in the negotiations for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus Problem under UN auspices, including as a member of the Ad Hoc Working Group on EU matters.
From 2018 until 2021 she served as Special Advisor of the Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focusing on EU issues and EU-Turkey relations.
From 1 March 2023 until 16 January 2024, she served as Director of the Diplomatic Office of the President and EU Sherpa, as well as Permanent Secretary of the National Council.
As of 17 January 2024, she serves as Deputy Minister for European Affairs.